Front panel and partition holder for display shelf

ABSTRACT

Means for mounting front panels and partitions on storage and display shelves comprising an extension laterally arranged on the shelf employing a recess for receiving an inserted attachment which attachment is grooved to support the front panels and the partitions.

United States Patent [1 1 Heinrich FRONT PANEL AND PARTITION HOLDER FORDISPLAY SHELF [76] Inventor: Wilhelm Heinrich, D-344l Oberhone. Germany[22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:-4I4,738

[52] U.S. Cl. 312/140, 108/108 [51] Int. Cl. A47f 3/00, A47b 9/00 [58]Field of Search 312/140. 140.4, 111;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kaufman 312/140 I 1 Jan. 28,1975 3 2l9,4()l 11/1965 Mapson 1 312/140 3,604,670 9/1971 Reeves 103/1083.765.344 10/1973 Ferdinand 108/108 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. NunhergAllorney, Agent. or FirmWarren F. B. Lindslcy ABSTRACT Means formounting front panels and partitions on storage and display shelvescomprising an extension laterally arranged on the shelf employing arecess'for receiving an inserted attachment which attachment is groovedto support the front panels and the partitions.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTH] JANZ 8 I975 SHEEI 10F 2 FRONTPANEL AND PARTITION HOLDER FOR DISPLAY SHELF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDisplay shelves employed in the merchandising of small articles areusually partitioned to separate items according to type, size, price,etc. Such displays are frequently reorganized to accommodate new ordifferent stock as buyer demand changes with the seasons of the year.Displays are also modified periodically in order to attract buyerattention and interest.

Such frequent reorganizations of displays create a need for separatorpanel or partition assemblies that may be readily modified andreadjustedto provide the desired compartmental dimensions for each newdisplay.

Prior art partition holders for display shelves consisted of simplestrips with milled grooves to accommodate the separating partitions.They have proven to be inadequate because such strips soon become warpedwith the partitions falling out of their holders resulting inunattractive display. Further, this type of partition holder isdifficult to reuse.

A co-pending application by the same inventor and entitled SeparatorPanel Holder For Display Shelves" discloses a holder for mountingseparator panels extending from the rear of the shelf to its front. Inthe storage and display of many small articles, however, it is necessaryalso to provide windows or panels along the front edge of the individualcompartments so that the compartments will be completely enclosed on allfour sides, i.e., by the two partitions extending laterally of theshelf, the front panel and the rear building wall against which theshelf is mounted. Frequently, it is also desirable to provide a dividerpanel running longitudinally of the shelf along its center line andperpendicular to laterally extending partition panels.

SUMMARY OF-THE INVENTION A still further object of this invention is toprovide such a panel holder which is attractive in appearance.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved panelholder which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be morereadily described by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one shelf of a shelving arrangementemploying the novel panel holder interconnecting partitions of theshelf.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the panel holders shownin FIG. I taken along the line 22.

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of one of the partition members illustrating inexploded view how the partition. shelf arm and corner panel holder fittogether.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of FIG. 3 taken along the line 3-3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a modification of the panel holder shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly tothe drawing by characters or reference, FIGS. I-S disclose a display orstorage shelf assembly I0 comprising a pair of known shelf supportingbrackets or arms 11, 11A shown more clearly in dash lines in FIG. 3which are hooked into and supported in a substantially horizontalposition on a pair of fixedly mounted vertically positioned uprights 12,12A, shown in FIG. I. Uprights 12, 12A are the usual known wall bracketsdesigned for interlocking with and supporting one or more shelf arms inits apertures l3 spacedly arranged along its length.

Each of the arms 11, 11A are provided with an extension 14, 14Acomprising -a bifurcated inverted U- shaped member which fits over theupper longitudinal edge of arms 11, 11A, as shown in FIG. 3. Eachextension is provided with a pair of spacedly positioned tabs l5, l5protruding laterally of its longitudinal axis toward the tabs as anadjacent arm for supporting a shelf 16 positioned between the arms, asshown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

The free end of each extension 14, 14A is contoured to receive ininterlocking arrangement a panel holder 17. As shown more clearly inFIG. 3, the ends of the extensions 14, 14A are cut away to form a rib 18extending longitudinally of the extension for receiving over it ininterlocking arrangement the panel holder 17.

The panel holders l7 each comprise a rectangular shaped block having twobifurcated portions defining a pair of grooves 19, 19A which arearranged laterally of each other to receive and hold in place as acorner member the laterally positioned and engaging panel members 20,20A, 208, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. FIG. 2 illustrates that the panelholders comprise two U shaped channels forming grooves 19 and 19A withchannel 19A having a stop or web member 21 extending laterally acrossthe groove forming a stop so that panel holder 17 can fit over rib 18only a predetermined distance controlled by the position of member 21along the length of groove 19A.

As noted from the figures of the drawing when the panel holder isinserted on the contoured ends of extensions 14, 14A, the lower ends 17Aand 17B of the U- shaped portion forming groove 19A fit snugly into andfill out the indentations 22 and 22' of the contour of these extensions.When panel holder 17 is mounted on extensions 14 and 14A, motion in ahorizontal direction of the holder is resisted by interference of thelower ends 17A and 17B with the walls of the contoured ends ofextensions 14 and 14A. the vertical surfaces of grooves 19 and 19A andthe lateral extending rib 18 in groove 19A.

Careful examination of the panel holder and the interlocking fit of itwith the contoured ends of extensions 14, 14A will reveal that relativemotion of any kind between these parts is restrained with the exceptionthat the panel holder may be moved vertically upwardly against the forceof gravity to remove the panel holder from the extensions 14 and 14A.

The grooves 19 and 19A of panel holders 17, 17' are fashioned to receiveand support vertically positioned panel members 20 and 20B and frontpanel 20A, as shown.

The panel holder 17 is intended for use at the front, left hand cornerof the shelf, as shown in FIG. 1 while panel holder 17' is intended foruse on the front, right hand corner of the shelf. It should beappreciated, however, if the panel holder is modified, as shown in H0.6, to comprise a panel holder 23 having grooves 24, 24A and 248 it canbe used to support and interconnect to front panel on the end of oneextension arm.

FIG. 3 illustrates in dash lines an indentation 25 in the outer sidesurfaces of extension 14A similar to the indentation formed at the endthereof into which the panel holder 23 is inserted. This indentation ismade to receive panel holder 23 with its lower ends 23A and 23B insertedinto indentation 25 in the same manner as the lower ends 17A and 17B fitinto the contoured end of extension 14 and 14A.

When panel holder 23 is installed at the center of extension 14A and/orextension 14 in similar indentation 25 panel holders 23 provide supportfor partitions extending longitudinally of the shelf across its centerthereby dividing the shelf in further compartments.

The adaptability ofthe disclosed panel holders makes it possible toprovide many different types of shelving arrangements with the minimumnumber of special purpose attachments.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that the inventioncomprises sturdy means for interlocking panels for dividing shelves intomultiple configurations which shelving parts may be erected andre-erected in many different forms without destroying the shelvingmaterial.

Although the panels, panel holders and other shelving parts may beformed of synthetic plastic material any suitable material may be used.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdepart ing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A holder for use in interlocking laterally engaging shelf panelscomprising:

a rectangular member having two bifurcated portions defining rectangulargrooves opening outwardly of said member one perpendicular to the other,

one bifurcated portion at one end of said member extending beyond thecommon end of said other of said bifurcated portions for frictionallyengaging with the outer surface of a supporting shelf arm, and

a stop positioned in said groove of said one of said bifurcated portionsfor limiting the sliding engagement of said oneend thereof over theshelf supporting arm, said grooves extend the full length of saidmember.

2. The holder set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said rectangular member defines three bifurcated portions formingrectangular grooves opening outwardly of said member with two of saidgrooves being axially aligned and the axis of the third of said groovesbeing substantially perpendicularly arranged to the axis of said twogrooves.

3. The holder set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said stop comprises a web member extending across the groove at a pointcorresponding to the common end of said other bifurcated portion.

4. A display shelf comprising in combination:

a pair of elongated narrow arms for attachment to a vertical wall atsubstantially the same level,

an extension for each of said arms comprising bifurcated channel membersfor insertion over, resting on the top of, and extending beyond the freeends of each of said arms,

each channel member being contoured at its free end for receiving in asliding fit a panel holder,

a pair of panel holders one for each of said channel members,

said panel holders being conformed for slidingly fitting onto the end ofsaid arms and each being provided with a pair of grooves substantiallyperpendicularly to each other,

a plurality of panels, the ends of two of said panels being inserted onein a common groove in each of said panel holders and arranged to extendalong and rest on the top surface of a different one of said channelmembers, and

a third panel having a different one of its ends inserted in the otherof said grooves in each of said panel holders.

5. The display shelf set forth in claim 4 wherein:

each of said extensions being provided with a pair of tabs extendinglaterally toward the tabs on the other extensions, and I a flat shelfsupport between said extensions in a horizontal position on said tabs.

6. The display shelf set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said panel holders each comprise a rectangular member having twobifurcated portions defining rectangular grooves opening outwardly ofsaid member one perpendicular to the other,

one bifurcated portion at one end of said member being provided withcars which extend beyond the common end of said other of said bifurcatedportions for frictionally engaging with the contoured surface of anassociated extension, and

a stop positioned in said groove of said one of said bifurcated portionsfor limiting the sliding engagement of said ears of said bifurcatedportion over the contoured surface of the supporting extension.

7. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said grooves of said panel holders extend the full length of therectangular members.

8. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein:

the rectangular members each define three bifurcated portions formingrectangular grooves opening outwardly of each member with two of saidgrooves being axially aligned and the axis of the third of said groovesbeing substantially perpendicularly arranged to the axis of said twogrooves.

9. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said stop comprises a web member extending across said groove at a pointcorresponding to the common end of said other bifurcated portion.

10. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein:

the panel holders are formed of plastic material.

1. A holder for use in interlocking laterally engaging shelf panelscomprising: a rectangular member having two bifurcated portions definingrectangular grooves opening outwardly of said member one perpendicularto the other, one bifurcated portion at one end of said member extendingbeyond the common end of said other of said bifurcated portions forfrictionally engaging with the outer surface of a supporting shelf arm,and a stop positioned in said groove of said one of said bifurcatedportions for limiting the sliding engagement of said one end thereofover the shelf supporting arm, said grooves extend the full length ofsaid member.
 2. The holder set forth in claim 1 wherein: saidrectangular member defines three bifurcated portions forming rectangulargrooves opening outwardly of said member with two of said grooves beingaxially aligned and the axis of the third of said grooves beingsubstantially perpendicularly arranged to the axis of said two grooves.3. The holder set forth in claim 1 wherein: said stop comprises a webmember extending across the groove at a point corresponding to thecommon end of said other bifurcated portion.
 4. A display shelfcomprising in combination: a pair of elongated narrow arms forattachment to a vertical wall at substantially the same level, anextension for each of said arms comprising bifurcated channel membersfor insertion over, resting on the top of, and extending beyond the freeends of each of said arms, each channel member being contoured at itsfree end for receiving in a sliding fit a panel holder, a pair of panelholders one for each of said channel members, said panel holders beingconformed for slidingly fitting onto the end of said arms and each beingprovided with a pair of grooves substantially perpendicularly to eachother, a plurality of panels, the ends of two of said panels beinginserted one in a common groove in each of said panel holders andarranged to extend along and rest on the top surface of a different oneof said channel members, and a third panel having a different one of itsends inserted in the other of said grooves in each of said panelholders.
 5. The display shelf set forth in claim 4 wherein: each of saidextensions being provided with a pair of tabs extending laterally towardthe tabs on the other extensions, and a flat shelf support between saidextensions in a horizontal position on said tabs.
 6. The display shelfset forth in claim 5 wherein: said panel holders each comprise arectangular member having two bifurcated portions defining rectangulargrooves opening outwardly of said member one perpendicular to the other,one bifurcated portion at one end of said member being provided withears which extend beyond the common end of said other of said bifurcatedportions for frictionally engaging with the contoured surface of anassociated extension, and a stop positioned in said groove of said oneof said bifurcated portions for limiting the sliding engagement of saidears of said bifurcated portion over the contoured surface of thesupporting extension.
 7. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein:said grooves of said panel holders extend the full length of therectangular members.
 8. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein:the rectangular members each define three bifurcated portions formingrectangular grooves opening outwardly of each member with two of saidgrooves being axially aligned and the axis of the third of said groovesbeing substantially perpendicularly arranged to the axis of said twogrooves.
 9. The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein: said stopcomprises a web member extending across said groove at a pointcorresponding to the common end of said other bifurcated portion. 10.The display shelf set forth in claim 6 wherein: the panel holders areformed of plastic material.